Island Outfitters
Vancouver Island Fishing Report - Aug 24-30
Ryan & Riley Mace with a limit of Springs from the waterfront on Wednesday
Island Outfitters
SALTWATER OVERVIEW – Salmon fishing was VERY GOOD this past week. Lots of chinooks were being caught all throughout the area, with most of them weighing in the teens. The coho are starting to appear out in the deeper waters of the strait. The pink salmon fishing was definitely slower and you had to work to find them. Halibut fishing was GOOD for those targeting this species.
DFO notices (For all in-season changes, check DFO website.
A closure was implemented on all southern island freshwater systems, including the Cowichan River, in early July prohibiting all fishing, including First Nations FSC fishing. Management measures have been expanded to the adjacent terminal marine areas, elevating the key chinook non-retention areas to salmon non-retention areas.
The following subareas will close to salmon retention effective 00:01h August 4, 2015 until further notice:
- Subareas 17-5 to 17-7, 17-9
- Subareas 18-6 to 18-8
- Subareas 19-7 to 19-12
Visit our facebook page to see reports, news and videos by our guides and staff from their most recent trips.
SOOKE – The salmon fishing was VERY GOOD this past week. The springs were quite abundant and good catches came from all areas. Most of the springs were weighing between 10 to 20 lbs, but there were a few 20+lbs size. Percy Miller landed a 33.6 lb spring near Otter Point on Friday. The bigger springs are being caught in the 35 - 60 ft depths. Some hatchery and wild coho are also being caught, mostly out in the shipping lanes. Sockeye and wild coho still have to be released. Some pink salmon are still around but there were fewer of them this past week.
BECHER BAY – Salmon fishing was VERY GOOD in East Sooke. The Trap Shack and the Bedfords were the most productive locations over the week. The best fishing there has been in tight to shore in 100 feet of water or less and between 40 – 70 feet on the downrigger. Most springs were running from 10 to 20 lbs in size with the occasional 20+ lber being caught. There are a few pink salmon being caught and you had to work harder for them. The best pink fishing has been on the flood tide in the tide lines far out in the strait. A few hatchery coho are also starting to show up in the catches.
PEDDER BAY – Salmon fishing was GOOD this week. Springs, a few hatchery coho, the odd pink and some catch and release wild coho were reported by Pedder Bay Marina. Everywhere from William Head to Church Rock produced spring salmon. The odd pink salmon is still coming in and most of those are from out near the shipping. Some hatchery coho are being caught there as well. Most of the springs caught have been at that 40-60 foot depths.
The Tour de Rock Salmon Derby was held at Pedder Bay Marina this past weekend. First place went to Paul Egli who caught a 19.95 spring. Second place went to Kelly Brame for a 16.6 lb spring and third went to Richard Gear for a 15.0 lb spring.
HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was GOOD this past midweek. Fish from 30 lbs to just under 70 lbs were weighed at the marina.
VICTORIA – Fishing for springs was VERY GOOD, both at Constance Bank and along the waterfront. The springs were spread out from Clover Point to Albert Head, depending on the tide. That said, Macauley Point was the area most congested with boats.
The James Bay Anglers Association held their Annual Salmon Derby this past Saturday and Sunday. First place went to Tomi Mitrovic for a 21 lb 8 oz spring. Wayne Gionet came in second with a 20 lb 10 oz spring. Third place went to Gerry Kuzyk for a 18lb 34 oz spring. There were 42 springs weighed in, 11 on Saturday and 31 on Sunday. The largest salmon caught by a lady was an 16 lb 10 oz spring caught by Donna Mae.
HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was GOOD this past weekend. Anglers report that the dogfish were less of a problem this past week.
OAK BAY – Salmon fishing was FAIR this past week. Most salmon were caught when fishing with lures right on the bottom (60-110 ft) on the Flats and by the Gap.
HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was GOOD this past weekend out in Haro Strait and off Discovery Island.
SIDNEY - Salmon fishing was VERY GOOD near Pender Island. The salmon have been most abundant close to Pender Bluffs and most boats are getting fish there. The springs are there in good numbers between 60 - 120 feet on the downrigger. Some of the springs are in the high twenties in size. There are still some pinks around, just not too many. Coho are also in the area and we’ve heard of both wild and hatchery fish caught.
The Sidney Anglers Association held their annual Round Up Derby this past Sunday. First place went to Cliff Kindree for an 18 lb 9 oz spring and second went to Don McIvor for a 10.8 lb spring.
FRESHWATER OVERVIEW – Fishing is GOOD on most lakes as the water temperatures climb. Wild rainbows and cutthroats over 50 cm must be released in Cowichan Lake.
All rivers on Vancouver Island in Region 1 are now closed until further notice with the exception of the Campbell/Quinsam Rivers and the Qualicum River. We’re hoping that there will be enough rain this week to allow fishing in the rivers again.
TROUT – Trout fishing was GOOD on most lakes in the South Island area this past week.
BASS - Bass fishing is EXCELLENT. At this time of year most of the bass are in the shallows. Langford Lake, Shawnigan Lake, Prospect Lake and Elk and Beaver Lakes are the best local bass lakes. St. Mary’s Lake on Salt Spring Island is also a great lake for bass fishing.
FISH TIP OF THE WEEK
Take some binoculars fishing! You can use them to see what other successful anglers are using for bait, spot bait ball ups from a distance, or check for changes in the weather conditions by scanning the horizon. Or you can just enjoy the views or nature and make your day fishing more enjoyable.